Polar Bear Club

Submitted by Bobby W.

Funny, but ouch!

L Street Brownies continue their tradition...

About 500 people braved bone-chilling cold and savage winds to take a morning dip in Boston Harbor, a 104-year-old New Year's Day tradition for the L Street Brownies.

Happy New Year!

Have a great 2009!

Meaning of New Year & Superstitions

"Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days." Here are the lyrics:

Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld Lang syne, my dear, for auld Lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld Lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld Lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend and gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet for auld Lang syne

The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days. The first of January was dedicated by the Romans to their God of Gates and Doors, Janus. A very old Italian God, Janus has a distinctive artistic appearance in that he is commonly depicted with two faces ... one regarding what is behind and the other looking toward what lies ahead. Thus, Janus is representative of contemplation on the happenings of an old year while looking forward to the new.

New Year Superstitions People across the globe trust in certain superstitions related to New Year's Day. Underlying idea behind most of these superstitions is that events occurring on New Year's Day sets the pattern for the rest of the year. According to customs prevalent in their society, people perform auspicious acts to invite Lady Luck and ward off evil. Given here are some of the most astonishing and popular New Year Superstitions:

Wear New Clothes
People believe that one should wear new clothes on a New Year's Day. This would mean receiving more new garments during the year. Red clothing is preferred for New Year's Day since red is considered a happy colour and is sure to attract for the wearer a brighter future.

Avoid Crying
It is said that one should avoid breaking things or crying and wailing on the first day of the year, if you don't want to continue the pattern for the entire year.

Be Polite
People say that one should behave nicely on New Year and must refrain from using foul language. Ghost stories and conversations on death should also be avoided.

Lucky New Year Babies
Babies born on 1st January is said to be the luckiest of all throughout their lives.

Don't Let Money Leave the House
In several countries, people do not let money, jewelry, precious items or other invaluable things leave home on New Year Day. Hence it is said that one should not pay loans and bills or lend things to anybody. People go to the extent of not taking out garbage or even not dusting their carpets on this day to ensure that nothing goes out of home during the year. If you have to deliver presents on New Year morning, it is advised to leave them in the car since New Year Eve on December 31st. In case you must take something out from the home, let someone come with the present inside the home first.

Letting the Old Year Out
At midnight, all the doors of a house must be opened to let the old year escape unimpeded.

Stack Up Cupboards and Wallets
It is believed that cupboards stocked up with food and wallets and purses full of money bring prosperity in New Year. Similarly, empty pockets or empty cupboards on New Years Eve portend a year of poverty.

Do not Wash Dishes
In several societies washing dishes and doing laundry on New Year's day is said to lead to a death in the family during the year. Many people do not even wash hair on New Year day.

Do Token Amount of Work
It is said that one must do token amount of work on the New Year's Day. This is said to ensure advancement in career. But starting out a serious work project is unlucky on New Year Day.

Make Noise
People believe that Evil One and his attendants and servants hate din and loud noise. So, scare them away by being as loud in New Year celebrations as possible. Church bells are rung at midnight for the same reason.

Don't Keep Debts
Pay your bills and loans before New Year Eve, so you don't have any debt left for New Year.

Eat Black-Eyes Peas
In Southern part of the United States it is said that eating of black-eyed peas on New Year's Day will attract both general good luck and money in particular to the one doing the dining.

Kiss at Midnight
It is believed that kissing at midnight ensures that affections and ties will continue throughout the New Year. On similar lines, it is said, to not do this would be to set the stage for a year of coldness.

First Footing
One must never leave the home before someone comes in first. First footer in the house should be ushered in with a warm welcome and should not have flat feet, cross-eyes or eyebrows stretching out to meet in the middle. It would be even better if he came bearing certain small gifts.

The Direction of Wind
The direction of wind during sunrise on New Year morning prophesies about the coming year. Wind from south foretells fine weather and prosperous times ahead while wind from north foretells bad weather. Wind blowing from east foretells natural calamities and wind from west foretells plenty of milk and fish for all but death of a person of great national importance. No wind means joy and prosperity throughout the year.

Dance in the Open Air
To dance in the open air, especially round a tree, on New Year's Day ensures luck in love and prosperity and freedom from ill health during the coming twelve months.

Find Future Groom
On New Year's Day if, on rising, a girl should look out of her bedroom window and see a man passing by, she may reckon to be married before the year is finished.

Drain the Bottle
You could ensure yourself good fortune by draining the last dregs from a bottle of drink on New Years!

Your Most Auspicious Way to Usher in the New Year

ARIES: Whether you go out or stay in, make sure that fire is a part of your New Year's Eve ritual. Burn a candle and say a prayer, or sit with your loved ones around the fireplace and talk about all you want to accomplish in the new year. The flames positively invigorate your intentions. TAURUS: Let nothing restrict your flow of creativity and money as you head into the new year. This is no time to be thrifty or feel badly about spending money on quality entertainment and good times with friends. Furthermore, by tipping well you're expanding the channel for abundance to flow back to you. GEMINI: Your need to connect with people is powerful and your head can only rest once you're satisfied that you've contacted each person in your social network in some manner. You'll be especially lucky when you reach out to those you haven't seen in a long while. CANCER: Go on a cleaning binge and reorganize that hidden messy place in your house -- for instance, under the kitchen sink or in the catchall drawer. Orderly surroundings make for mental stillness, clarity and readiness. LEO: Give your family, friend and neighbors as much time as possible. Even short visits will put you in a lucky mood. You are regenerated by their smiles, rejuvenated by their hugs, reanimated by their laughter. You go into the new year as a real people person. VIRGO: Chances are you can't give up being a perfectionist or being hard on yourself -- and you really wouldn't want to. The result of your high standards and impossible drive is so fabulous! But there is one habit you could lose. Write it on a piece of paper and burn it over a candle. LIBRA: If you can manage to get some exclusive time with your No. 1 supporter, that will be magical. As long as you are together, what you do really doesn't matter. You could even just watch television. You are so receptive now to the kind of healing that occurs with a close connection to your most significant other. SCORPIO: Express your kookier side. You'll be around the people who can really appreciate your humor and you almost can't go too far with things. And when you're not being funny, there is poetry in your heart that needs to be unleashed. SAGITTARIUS: You love to be with your next of kin, but you also need a fair amount of new acquaintances around you as the ball drops. The more diverse your crowd, the better your spirits. Creating a common experience with very uncommon people helps you feel connected with all of humanity. CAPRICORN: You are in your glory these days and there is a long list of people who would like to be around you when the old calendar goes in the trash. Frankly, some of them fear that you'll grow distant in the new year. Your fortunes increase when you provide the reassurance they need. AQUARIUS: The prospect of starting a new project or relationship has you feeling positively effervescent. Follow your spirit's call and boogie your way into the new year. You don't even need a club! Life is a party even if you happen to be home alone. PISCES: The spiritual energy you feel going into the new year is so strong that it would be a shame not to share it. Gather with those with similar beliefs and offer up a prayer for the new year. Don't be afraid to make a few personal requests of the divine while you're at it.

Resolve to Keep Those New Year's Resolutions

Keeping a New Year's resolution may depend on following three simple steps, says Dr. Bernard Davidson, a family psychologist at the Medical College of Georgia Health System.

Here are the steps:

Be committed. You must think through what you want to change and commit yourself to the long-term process it usually takes to achieve change. You then need to come up with a realistic plan to help you reach your goals, Davidson said in a statement. For example, if you want to shed some pounds, create a weight-loss schedule and an achievable diet and exercise plan. If your family and friends are supportive, tell them about your goals. They can provide encouragement and reinforce your commitment to change. If necessary, seek professional help to assist you.

Be prepared for setbacks. Don't think of them as complete failures, don't dwell on them, and don't let them make you give up your goals. After a setback, try to get back on track to reach your objective. Plan ahead on how you'll deal with setbacks. For example, if you do have a cigarette when you're trying to quit, your plan may include calling a supportive friend to talk about it. Or you may want to review all the reasons you listed for wanting to stop smoking and why reaching that goal will make you happy.

Track your progress. Motivate yourself by celebrating your successes and by getting positive feedback from supportive family and friends. A good approach is to evaluate yourself every week or two weeks. However, don't over-monitor yourself by doing a self-assessment every day. That's just likely to end in frustration. Don't compare yourself to others. Accomplish your goal in a way that's best suited to you.

Most Popular Resolutions

Lose Weight
Manage Debt
Save Money
Get a Better Job
Get Fit
Eat Right
Get a Better Education
Drink Less Alcohol
Quit Smoking Now
Reduce Stress Overall
Reduce Stress at Work
Take a Trip
Volunteer to Help Others

For more help visit American Psychiatric Association site for tips on attaining your resolutions.

Holiday Wishes

Never a Christmas morning;
never the old year ends,
But someone thinks of someone;
old days, old times, old friends.

Wishing You & Yours a very Merry Christmas!
Love, from all of us.